Trinity Lake
17,000 acres of cold, clear water at the foot of the Trinity Alps
Trinity Lake
Trinity Lake sits at the foot of the Trinity Alps in Trinity County, about an hour and a half northwest of Redding. At roughly 17,000 acres, it is California's third-largest reservoir, with multiple long arms, deep clear water, and over 100 miles of forested shoreline.
Trinity fishes more like Whiskeytown than Shasta. The water stays cold and clear year-round, structure is mostly rocky points, bluffs, and timbered breaks, and the lake is famous for trophy smallmouth bass and a strong kokanee fishery. Brown trout, rainbows, and lake trout round out a deep-water mix you will not find at Shasta.
Trinity is a destination day for Tony's clients. The drive is about ninety minutes each way, so trips are planned ahead, usually around the spring smallmouth window or the summer kokanee bite. If you want trophy smallmouth, a serious shot at a kokanee limit, or a change of pace from Shasta, Trinity is the lake.
Seasonal calendar
Trinity is high, cold, and deep. Patterns lag Shasta by a few weeks and the species mix rotates through the year. Here is what to expect month by month.
January
Species: Lake trout & rainbow trout
Temp: 42-46°F
Trolling deep with downriggers near the dam. Slow presentations, light line.
February
Species: Lake trout & smallmouth
Temp: 42-48°F
Trout still the steady target. Smallmouth waking up on sun-warmed rocky banks.
March
Species: Smallmouth bass
Temp: 46-54°F
Pre-spawn smallmouth move toward staging points. Jerkbaits, finesse jigs, and small swimbaits on rocky structure.
April
Species: Smallmouth bass
Temp: 52-60°F
Smallmouth spawn on rocky points and gravel flats. Sight fishing with tubes, drop shot, and Ned rigs.
May
Species: Smallmouth & spotted
Temp: 56-66°F
Post-spawn feed. Bass roam shallower structure. Topwater early, soft plastics through the day.
June
Species: Bass & kokanee
Temp: 60-70°F
Kokanee fishery turns on. Downrigger trolling in the main basin. Bass on points and bluffs at first light.
July
Species: Kokanee & smallmouth
Temp: 66-74°F
Prime kokanee window. Dodgers and small lures on downriggers. Smallmouth go deep with the heat.
August
Species: Kokanee & lake trout
Temp: 68-76°F
Kokanee push deeper, lake trout active. Early-morning bass on topwater, then drop shot and finesse on deep structure.
September
Species: Smallmouth & trout
Temp: 64-70°F
Cooling water restarts the bass bite. Trout return to upper water. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, and swimbaits.
October
Species: Brown trout & smallmouth
Temp: 56-64°F
Browns aggressive before spawn. Smallmouth chase shad on points. Best fall feed-up window.
November
Species: Trout & spotted bass
Temp: 48-56°F
Trout fishing peaks. Bass slow but quality. Slow finesse on bluffs, trolling for trout.
December
Species: Lake trout & rainbow trout
Temp: 44-48°F
Winter trout fishery. Trolling deep with downriggers. Bass possible on the warmest days but not the focus.
What we fish for
Trinity is a four-species lake at heart. Tony tailors each trip to what is biting and to what you most want on the line.
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth are the marquee bass on Trinity. The lake has produced state-class fish historically and still kicks out true trophies every year. Rocky points, bluffs, and gravel flats are everywhere, and the fish fight as hard as any in Northern California.
Key techniques
- Tubes and Ned rigs on rocky points
- Drop shot in clear deep water
- Jerkbaits in pre-spawn and fall
- Topwater at first and last light
Kokanee salmon
Trinity is one of the best kokanee fisheries in Northern California. Kokanee are landlocked sockeye, fight scrappy, and eat as well as anything that swims. They school in the cool depths from late spring through early fall.
Key techniques
- Downrigger trolling with dodgers
- Small spoons, hoochies, and apex lures
- Pink and chartreuse colors
- Locating fish on electronics first
Brown & rainbow trout
Both rainbows and browns swim in Trinity, with the brown bite picking up hard in fall before their spawn. The cold water keeps trout active well into summer.
Key techniques
- Trolling near the dam and main basin
- Casting spoons in cooler months
- Live bait when conditions allow
Lake trout (mackinaw)
Trinity holds a lake trout population that is rare for California. Mackinaw stay deep year-round and put a real bend in the rod. A great option for clients who have already caught bass and trout and want something different.
Key techniques
- Deep trolling with heavy downriggers
- Large spoons and tube jigs
- Vertical jigging over deep structure
Launch points
Trinity has launches scattered around its arms. Tony picks based on conditions, the wind, and which arm is fishing best.
Trinity Center
Public ramp on the north end of the lake. Quick access to the upper Trinity River arm and the timbered breaks above. Large parking area.
Estrellita Marina
Full-service marina on the eastern shore with rentals, fuel, and a launch ramp. Convenient for the main basin and the East Fork.
Pinewood Cove
Resort launch on the western shore. Quieter access to the main lake and a short run to several productive smallmouth points.
Stuart Fork
Ramp on the Stuart Fork arm, near the trail into the Trinity Alps. Best access for the Stuart Fork structure and the southwest end of the lake.
Clark Springs
Public ramp on the southwest shore near the dam. Good for the deep water and main-basin trolling for kokanee, lake trout, and rainbows.
Gear checklist
Tony provides everything you need to fish. Here is what he brings and what you should pack.
Tony provides
- Bass boat with trolling motor
- All rods, reels, and tackle
- Bait and terminal gear
- Fish-finding electronics
- Cooler with ice
- Lunch (full-day and two-day trips)
You bring
- Valid California fishing license
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Water and snacks (half-day trips)
- Weather-appropriate layers
- Non-marking shoes
- Camera (optional)
Ready to get on the water?
Book your guided fishing trip on Shasta Lake. All gear included, all skill levels welcome.